Ford rear end

I have been very happy with the 9 inch in my Monte,it's one of the better purchases I've made.
And there are lots of upgrades available,although they will drive the price up if you get carried away.
If you go with the basic 11 inch drum brakes they will increase the stopping power over the stock drums noticeably.If they are the same as mine the brake shoes are not only bigger in diameter they are wider as well.
And you can beat on them a lot more than the 7.5 LOL
Guy

Like we were discussing in the crate motor thread: I wouldn't put a 3.50 gear with a 2.20 1st. It'll be better on the highway, but stoplights and low speed would have your left leg working out.

I'm a long way out from being there, but I think I'm probably going to go with a Ford 9" when the time comes. The plan is for 400+ hp. I talked to a guy the other day with a Grand National that claims he runs 11s, and he said he still has the factory 8.5, and he says it's fine. But I think the Ford has a little more wiggle room built in to wail on it.

CaliWagon83 said:

I'm a long way out from being there, but I think I'm probably going to go with a Ford 9" when the time comes. The plan is for 400+ hp. I talked to a guy the other day with a Grand National that claims he runs 11s, and he said he still has the factory 8.5, and he says it's fine. But I think the Ford has a little more wiggle room built in to wail on it.

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The 8.5" will handle some power if the right parts are put into it. There used to be a guy running around here with a GN pushing almost 700hp through an 8.5. It had moser axles, Eaton posi and such.
I'm still torn however on whether to rebuild my 8.5", get a 9", or an S60.

I just ordered mine from Quick. I went pretty fancy with the upgrades but it’s buy once cry once. It’s nice to know I can always upgrade here and there and it will take it.

Pics will be up when it lands.

CaliWagon83 said:

I'm a long way out from being there, but I think I'm probably going to go with a Ford 9" when the time comes. The plan is for 400+ hp. I talked to a guy the other day with a Grand National that claims he runs 11s, and he said he still has the factory 8.5, and he says it's fine. But I think the Ford has a little more wiggle room built in to wail on it.

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8.5's will work great for footbrake automatic trans cars into the low 10/high 9 second range. They can't take a clutch dump like a 9" can and can break on a much slower/lower HP manual trans car.

As long as the pinion is touching the ring gear when a load is applied, an 8.5 is happy. When there is a little slack and the pinion tooth slaps the ring gear under load, an 8.5 is not happy.

If your thinking about a 9 in don't think that your bullet proof buying one. Educate yourself on all the differences and the HP capabilities.
(splines, bearings, housings, cases, pinion support, yokes, gears)

lilbowtie said:

If your thinking about a 9 in don't think that your bullet proof buying one. Educate yourself on all the differences and the HP capabilities.
(splines, bearings, housings, cases, pinion support, yokes, gears)

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For sure. Nothing's "unbreakable." I'm planning on putting an LS3 or Gen-V LT1 eventually with a 4L70-E. No high-speed clutch-dumping or 11-second quarters. Still a long way out from making major hardware choices, but always good to get second opinions.